Thousands will line-up for a piece of strawberry shortcake at the 25th annual Strawberry Fest Saturday, June 15.
Activities are planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Waupaca.
Event founders Ross and Debbie Turner and Lori Chesnut will be in attendance to sample the first piece of strawberry shortcake, as well as previous winners of the Lil’s Strawberry Sally and Sam Costume Contest.
Highlights of Strawberry Fest include a taste of Waupaca in Strawberry Lane Cafè, an art and craft show featuring artisans from across the Midwest, fresh strawberries and shortcake for sale, Lil’ Strawberry Sally and Sam Costume Contest, horse drawn wagon rides, narrated trolley rides of Waupaca’s historic district, a chainsaw carver and new this year, Waupaca Walks for Children.
Kids’ Alley at Rotary Riverview Park will feature activities for children and families, Dizzy D Clown, bounce houses, a petting zoo and the Mighty Waupaca River Duck Race.
“We expect record crowds for our 25th anniversary with expanded activities for the whole family,” said Jeff Anderson, tourism director with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce.
Anderson said the highlight of the event will be the 3,000 pieces of strawberry shortcake that will be available while they last beginning at 10 a.m.”
A Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest will be held at noon. The participant who eats their piece of strawberry shortcake in the shortest time will have a donation made in their name to the local non-profit of their choice. In 2012, $500 was donated to Waupaca FFA by contest winner Joel Kempfert with a time of 39 seconds.
Live music is scheduled all day and will include Michael Murphy and the MOB playing traditional and original blues and Desperate Ottos playing country-rock.
Turners Fresh Market will host its annual Strawberry Days’ from noon and 5 p.m.
Located at E208 State Highway 54, west of Waupaca, Turners’ activities include hayrides to the field for pick-your-own strawberries, a berry-smile photo contest for children, barrel train rides, chocolate covered strawberries and farm tours.
The Waupaca Historical Society will have open houses at the Holly History and Genealogy Center at 321 S. Main, the Hutchinson House Museum across from South Park and the Waupaca Railroad Depot, located at the top of a hill just past the Oak St. Bridge.
The Model Railroad Show is returning at the Waupaca Recreation Center on School and State streets Saturday and Sunday, and the annual Lions Club Fly-in and Drive-in Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Sunday at the Waupaca Municipal Airport.
Visit www.WaupacaMemories.com for a detailed listing of events.